Temples of Tamil Nadu

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In South India, by about 10th century AD, the imperial power of CHOLAS had reached its zenith. Temples of various designs, forms and norms crystallised following the codified norms and sculptural manuals and the period that followed witnessed great activity in the construction of temples.

This paved way for the unification or systematisation of the epic centres in CHOLAMANDALAM (the area under Chola's rule) especially for religious art and indeed for a fresh wave of art forms. The temple plan retained its pristine simplicity and a large number of such temples were built during the time of PARANDHAGA CHOLA (founder of the Chola-II dynasty) and GANDARATHITHYA CHOLA.

From the time of Emperor RAJA RAJA CHOLA, a new improvised standardisation began, in that, lateral approaches were provided to the pillared hall and with this devotees went in clock wise direction for worshiping.

BIG TEMPLE OF THANJAVUR :
The Temple is a masterpiece of Dravidian architectural expertise. The goddess in the temple is known as Brihanayaki. The shrines of Ganapati, Nataraja and Chadeswara also adorn the place. One of the best Nataraja figures can be found in this place. The second biggest Nandi can be found here. There are a lot of beautiful fresco paintings here depicting the daily life of Tanjore at the Chola period. This Brihadiswara Temple of Thanjavur dedicated to Lord Siva is the tallest in South India.

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Tamil Nadu is a delight for pilgrims as there are a host of well-known and sacred Temples that dot the State. Temples for each and every deity can be found unfold across the length and breadth of Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Temples can be looked upon as a demonstration of the wonderful heritage of the state. Among Indian Temples, the Temples of Tamil Nadu receives particular mention in both the cultural, religious and architectural milieu. Several famous hymns by scholars and saints from time to time have been devoted to these supercilious Temples to draw out its importance and beauty.

These are thus a number of Temples in Tamil Nadu, they can be arranged in a continuous chronological series enabling are to study the development of temple architectural norms and forms right up to the commencement of the present century.

The Tamil Nadu Temples are of major significance for the both Saivite and Vaishnavite pilgrims as there are an equal number of Temples for both the beliefs. In the middle of the famous temples of Tamilnadu, there are a host of Ganapathy Temples and Temples devoted to other Gods as well. There are several world famous Temples such as the Temples in Srirangam, Thanjavur, Mahabalipuram, Chidambaram, Kancheepuram, Madurai, etc that are so awe inspiring that it has left an ineradicable mark in the minds of the visitors here.

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Photo Source: Temple Tower at Kanchipuram mckaysavage, Shore Temple: mckaysavage, Madurai Meenashi Temple: mckaysavage, Temple Tank: angelic sherk, Temple Structure: mckaysavage, Inside Temple: mckaysavege Walk Way: mckaysavage, Tower sculpture: Fovea Centralis,Big Temple: Fovea Centralis Stone Pillars: Ravages

In Tamil Nadu the most important of the earlier mediaeval temples is the great shaiva shrine at Thajavur, an imposing and consistently planned building with high pyramidal tower rising over the main shrine, it was in process of construction by Raja Raja Cholan about the end of the tenth century. Remains of the other Tamil Nadu Temples earlier than the middle of the fourteenth century are very few. By the middle of the thirteenth century, however, the style is fully evolved: its leading characteristics include the great gate way (Gopuram), Pillared Halls (Mandapam, the re-curved cornices, elaborate monolithic coloumns and cloumn brackets of rearing horses or monsters (Yali or Lion), and the great processional corridors..

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TEMPLE SCULPTURES:
Tamil sculpture, though renowned and at length studied by savants, is spotted over thousands of shrines, some of them uncared for and little known. Because it has been assayed, not by artists who could capture its dynamism and intelligence, but by art critics who were, and are really archaeologists, iconographers, epigraphists and historians, quite a few masterpieces remain in dimness. No deep research is needed to recognize them - their beauty and flamboyance are understandable.

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The enchanting sculptures found in the Temples, in their variety and form, offer, likewise ample scope for a study both from aesthetic and iconographic point of view. They abound in base reliefs in the rock cut cave temples, in the niches of the various bases of the domes and the walls of the pillared Halls, in the sub shrines and on pillars of latter periods. The finest examples of the early Chola style of sculptures are at Kodumbalur and the Sculptures of later periods at Avudaiyar Koil. The best and most ornate among the later Temples of the fourteenth centuries (Vijayanagara period), at the Madathukoil near Trichy which is the specimen of exquisite stone architecture

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Photo Source Lord Ganesha:Gexydaf, Inside Big Temple: tdietmut, Stone Art: swamysk,Rock Fort: fraboof Lord Muruga: seeveeaar

'STONE AND METAL LAST, BUT WOOD DECAY'.
Thanjavur and its surroundings are noted for the outstanding bronzes of Nataraja and other gods and goddesses.

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In addition to these stone sculptures and iconography, we may also notice a few bronze icons-metal images in copper and bronze- that mark one of the greatest achievements of the Cholas. Many of the temples in Tamil Nadu whether earlier or later have metal icons as processional idols. This has been continued in Vijayanagara times and later. But the Chola metal images are acclaimed to be the best from the aesthetic and technical point of view. Particularly Lord Shiva as Nataraja in the Dancing pose has been hailed as a rare concept of iconography, full of aesthetic and esoteric, symbolism and significance. The Nataraja bronze image from the Thiruvarankulam temple is the best (one is exhibited in the Government Museum, Pudukottai near Trichy and another at the national Museum, New Delhi).

More than One thousand years old Bronze icons. Exhibited at Government Museum, Trichy

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Among the elements of Tamil origion are probably the cults of the phallus and of mother-goddesses Nagas, Yakshas and other nature spirits, and many of the arts. Indeed, if we recognize in the Tamils a southern race and in the Aryans a northern, it may well be argued that the victory of kingly over tribal organizations, the gradual reception, into orthodox religion, of the phallus cult and mother-goddesses, and the shift from abstract symbolism to anthropomorphic iconography, in the period of 'theuistic' and 'bakthi' development, mark a final victory of the conquered over the conquerors. In particular, the popular Tamil element must have played the major part in all that concerns the development and office of image worship, that is of 'Puja' as distinct from 'Yagna.'

Garuda (Eagle God)

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Naga (Snake God)

Photo Source: jeet sen under creative commons license.

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There are few places in Tamil Nadu where there are no old, feeble shrines, and visitors to the State will find it worthwhile to go round these small shrines as well. The less incomprehensible shrines can still revelation one with the delight and charm, meticulous carvings - like the Temples at the foot of the hill at Tirukalukunndram and near Panruti, the Ramaswami and Ezhai Someswarar Temples in Kumbakonam and Tirubhuvanam, and Darasuram, Narthamalai and Moovarkoil in Pudukottai, the less important shrines around Madurai, the moderately recent temple at Nattarasankottai near Sivaganga and the shrines in Brahmadesam in the Tirunelveli District.

'CHIDAMBARAM NATARAJA TEMPLE'

Chidambaram Temple is very old and celebrated shrine in India. It is a holy place as well as full of history. Chidambaram Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva (Nataraja) and he is in his Ananda Tandava posture (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the golden cosmic hall. Disciples of both, Saivites as well Vaishnavites go to Chidambaram as a pilgrimage spot. It is celebrated for cultural significance.

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SRIRANGAM :
SRIRANGAM is a living illustration of a living town where all life centres round the temple. This massive Temple complex has 21 outstanding gateway doors and a 1000 pillar hall with beautiful stone carvings. All are within 7 walls of this temple town. The 22nd gate way tower which is 236' high is the tallest temple tower in Asia. This Temple complex is very well maintained and has beautiful stone carvings and ceilings. The famous Horse Court Hall is worth to visit because the horses carved in stones are stunning.

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A Tamil Nadu Temple tour discloses that, these Temples were not only places of worship, but also served as seats of learning and the birth place of a number of art forms. So get prepared to come on a Temple tour of Tamil Nadu and experience the ecstasy of getting to know all about the Temples that you have always wished to know and visit. For more details contact TTDC

Fresh Wave of Art Forms ~ Temples of Tamil Nadu ~ About Temples: Photo Gallery ~ Mediaeval Temples ~ Sculptures ~ Stone Art - Photo Gallery ~ Bronze Icons ~ Nagas And Yakshas ~ Some Other Temples ~ Srirangam Temple ` Temples of Tamil Nadu in Wikipedia ~ Other Temples ~ Tamil Nadu Temple Tour ~ Blog Posts About Tamil Nadu Temples ~ Guest Book

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